Max Verstappen shares honest opinion on how the title battle against Lewis Hamilton was more stressful than his battle with Lando Norris and McLaren

Max Verstappen, who won his fourth world title in a row this year, compared his championship battle with Lando Norris to that with Lewis Hamilton. He claimed that rivalry with Lewis Hamilton was more stressful as he was competing against Mercedes, a team that has dominated F1 for several years.

Norris ended up being Verstappen's direct championship rival in 2024 after he won his career-first race in Miami. However, the Red Bull driver defended his title with a 63-point lead. Regardless, the championship battle went on till the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the Dutchman faced a real challenge for the first time since 2022.

Meanwhile, reviewing his battle with Norris, Verstappen claimed that his competition with Hamilton in 2021 was more stressful than the pressure he faced in 2024. He explained that fighting toe-to-toe with Mercedes was a steep challenge as the Silver Arrows had been dominating F1 for many years. Speaking to Telegraaf, he said:

"I have benefited a lot from my experience this year. Stay calm, don't force it, communicate well with the team, and keep working hard. That is the key for me. In 2021, there was a lot more pressure for me and the team.

"Then we competed against Mercedes, a team that had been dominant for so long, and I was able to fight for a championship for the first time. Lewis Hamilton and I finished first and second in almost every race. It could have gone either way back then. This year, there may have been a bit more drama around the team, but in terms of sport, it was a bit more stressful back then," Verstappen said.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had a heated battle in the 2021 F1 season that saw a controversial end. The season finale in Abu Dhabi turned into a title decider before a final lap shootout ordered by race director Michael Masi led to the Dutch driver's maiden championship victory.

Max Verstappen hints at foul play from rival teams

Max Verstappen (Image Source: Getty)

Adding drama to the off-season, Red Bull ace Max Verstappen suggested that a few rival teams broke the rules behind the scenes, but no one would ever admit the same. Speaking to Telegraaf, he said:

"There were things that happened in the background, which meant that we had no chance at all in certain races. I know that for sure, but no one will ever admit that," said Verstappen.

McLaren reportedly benefitted from their rear wing placing, which many alleged was illegal. Besides, McLaren and Mercedes were also accused of pulling off the same tactic.

Red Bull also faced some allegations, where the opposition claimed that they used a ride height adjustment device on the front, which was disallowed per rule books.